39 Tips From Real People on How to Save Money in Almost Every Part of Life

We hear financial experts talk about the ways you can start saving money and set financial goals all the time. And a lot of it is great! In fact, many of these financial experts, like Dave Ramsey, have helped thousands of people improve their financial situation and get out debt.

But have you ever been curious about what the super savers do when it comes to budgeting and living frugally?

And I’m not talking about known book writers or podcast show hosts who discuss ways to save money. I’m talking about normal, everyday people who have become experts in finding ways to save big and small as they get out of debt and/or build their wealth.

Well down below, I’ve gathered some helpful tips on the best ways to save money from these super savers! You’ll find some great saving money tips from real people that’ll help you manage your money better, and get the best deals in almost all parts of life.

So check out these ideas on how to save money, and see where you can start saving this month!

Saving Money With Cars

1. “I’ve told a car dealer I wouldn’t purchase the car with that interest rate and started to walk out. They lowered the interest rate from 7% to 3.4%. Even with my “bad credit” that they said I had (My credit score is 760). The interest rate is negotiable even if they say it isn’t. Do it after you agree to the price on the car when you’re getting ready to sign the papers.

Last Note: They earn commissions on loans with certain banks. He was trying to convince me I wouldn’t get financing as a scare tactic. I didn’t like that so I walked away. Somehow they found better financing. I knew better because I was aware what my credit score was.” – Donna McMenamin

2. “We changed car/home insurance providers last year from Liberty Mutual to Erie Insurance and saved almost $600 a year.“ – Krista Hanks

3. “Pay cash for a car! My immediate manager walked into a dealership and asked what $10,000 cash could get her. It got her a 2013 Ford Focus with 50k miles on it.“ – April Coltzer

4. “Definitely try nearby schools for auto repairs!“ – Susan Livingston

5. “I switched car insurances and save about 30 dollars a month.“ – Krista Anderson

Holiday Savings

6. “Christmas shop all year. We choose to buy for our extended family (I know a lot of people choose not to but in our family we love ridiculously big Christmases). I buy things when I find amazing deals and put them away. Our Christmas tree is overflowing for an average under $10 per person for quality gifts.“ – Krista Hanks

7. “Ebates! I use it especially around Christmas. When you shop through them (app or website) they give you cash back in the form of a check. They have major stores like Kohls, Walmart, Under Armour etc. I’ve gotten back $665 over the 3 years I’ve been doing it.“ – Krista Hanks

Side Note: Ebates is now called Rakuten.

Debt

8. “I have a second job as I pay down my debts. Knocks off $700 per month.” – Angela Malone-Klockgether

Saving Money on Pets

9. “I just discovered an alternative to my dogs monthly flea meds. It’s a collar that lasts 8 months. Where I live, that’s all they need. I found them through Chewy.com for $54.99 each. I also put my dog’s food on auto ship through them and saved 20% off my order. So normally with (4) dogs, I paid $100/month for a flea pill ($800/year). With the collar, I’m treating them all for $200 for the year. I saved $600!!” – Lori Epperly

Saving Money on Bills

10. “One thing I used to do with my prior business was pay the bills early to take advantage of terms. So if I paid in 20 days, I got 5% off and that really added up. Also, I scheduled all my CC [credit card] payments on the last possible date to make sure I had more time to pay (for when I needed it) and to make sure I wouldn’t have late fees/interest. And, when I could, I would pay for things annually (for the discount) rather than monthly. That always worked for smaller items in the $100-$200 range.” – Debbie Gartner

11. “Shop the flyers! I shop at the most expensive chain in town – but I pay less than the people who shop at the least expensive. How? I study that weekly flyer like it’s a college textbook. My weekly meal plan is based off of what’s on sale and what’s BOGO. Yes, it takes time and planning, but it saves me a ton each week!” – Crystal Suarez

12. “Coupons! I print off Coupons.com.” – Sherrie Banas

13. “Walmart here offers next day pickup on your groceries for free. Shopping online helps you stick to a budget because as you add things to your cart, you see your total go up. Plus, it makes it easier to stick to a list and not impulse buy because you have to search for each item!” – Kayla Rowell

14. “I make do with what we have in the pantry. Push off grocery shopping as much as I can. You’d be surprised what you can make!” – Angela Rinka

15. “Sign up for Kellogg’s Family Rewards, take a pic of your grocery receipts and submit for points when you buy participating Kellogg brands. Points can be redeemed for gift cards or I do the printable coupons. Plus they send out emails where you can print off coupons.” – Debbie Durig

16. “I use apps to get cash back on groceries – Look for stores which really help you find savings.” – Melanie Askey

17. “With our tax return we bought a half of a cow (1.79/lb) and a half a hog ($189 total) for a total of $1,154. It will last us all year.” – Krista Hanks

18. “We eat a lot of in season produce and we cook from scratch a lot.” – Laura Jourdain

19. “I use ibotta and SavingStar for groceries, toiletries and paper items. At times the store’s apps will have the same digital coupon so I use that at the same time to double the savings.” – Lisa Garand

Side Note: SavingStar is no longer available.

Saving Money on Clothes

20. “For clothes I shop the consignment shops for the kids and myself and I set a budget. I rarely spend more than a dollar or two per top and no more than four dollars for pants for the kids and I am still often times finding name brand stuff for them.” – Krista Anderson

21. “I thrift heavily. I’m really picky about my daughter’s toys and clothes and I buy them for next to nothing and sell on consignment when she’s done with them, essentially clothing for free.” – Laura Jourdain

22. “I shop at Goodwill first. Use secondhand/consignment shops for dance dresses for daughter.” – Diane McWethy

23. “When I can I like to go to the fancier neighborhoods and check their Goodwills out because usually you can find new Nike shorts for $3-4.” – Krista Anderson

24. “I buy baby & kids clothes at a consignment or thrift shops. I found a good one that only accepts clothes that are in good condition & also takes toys & baby furniture. Most babies/kids outgrow stuff before it can get too worn out so we get great clothes for a fraction of the price. The store I go to also buys stuff if you’re willing to go through your old clothes & pick out the best stuff, and they have a punch card that can get you 20% off after you buy or sell $200.” – Amber Tarasevitsch

28. “Shop off season for clothes. And when shopping online I only buy if free shipping is available.” – Matt and Kim Styons

Other Shopping Saving Tips

25. “All of our garbage bags, paper towels, and toilet paper I buy at Costco. It’s a small investment in the beginning but I would say it lasts 5 to 6 months on the TP and even longer on the other two.” – Krista Anderson

26. “I use my Amazon Prime subscribe and save for items like toilet paper, baby wipes, diapers, paper towels, paper plates etc.” – Krista Hanks

27. “I take a second for internet research like recently I got $7 off an oil change.” – Susan Livingston

Saving Money on Outings

29. “One activity we enjoy is going to state parks. A day pass is 5 dollars or you can get a year pass for $25. So I get the year pass because we go way more then five times a year and there are 63 or so State Parks in our state I believe. Usually pack a lunch and snacks, and the only thing I have to save money for is gas.” – Krista Anderson

30. “I save for vacation by having money automatically taken out of my account each month. I do this for Christmas and my children’s accounts too.” – Andrea Moore

31. “Save loose change in a sealed tin for vacation spends. Don’t really miss it at the time but it soon adds up.” – Anne Scott

32. “When I get to the minimum for cash out, I redeem for gift cards to Starbucks and Panera. I love eating there for free!” – Lisa Garand

Side Note: This is in reference to apps like ibotta.

Saving on the Small Things

33. “I use rags for cleaning up messes instead of paper towels mostly. (I do have to buy one roll every now and then for things like broken eggs on the floor).” – Laura Sapp

34. “I found this book called, 101 Old-Time Country Household Hints. It’s full of money saving tips. Now, I use things like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, peroxide, and rubbing alcohol for everything from cleaning to pest control.” – Ybet Aoebeoo

35. “I use less than the recommended amount of laundry detergent. Our clothes get just as clean.”  – Krista Hanks

36. “Cutting the toothpaste tube in half when it’s ’empty.'” – Jill Voight

37. “I try not to leave the house on days when I’m not working. I run errands before or after work while I am already in town. Saves fuel and ultimately money because I’m not as inclined to ‘just look around’ before or after work like I would if I had more time.” – Krista Hanks

38. “I use apps for chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and have saved with app coupons.” – Christine Williams

39. “Locally, our buy/sell/trade Facebook page has been a great way to get rid of items and make some extra cash.” – Krista Hanks

---

Alright, so what were some of your favorite saving tips from these people? And what are some of yours? I’d love to feature your tips as well!